Luka Doncic lost the “amazing” Deandre Ayton in the start of LA with 14-4

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers they planned to start the 2025-26 season. With their latest win, 129-119 against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, the Lakers improved to 14-4 and have won six straight games. The main reason for the Lakers’ strong start to the season was Deandre Ayton. After the Lakers win against the Mavericks, Luka Dončić talked about the importance of Ayton’s presence on the field.

“He’s been amazing for us all season. . . he’s going to keep doing what he’s doing. Sometimes I need to watch him more. But the way he plays on both ends of the floor is amazing. I really appreciate him,” Doncic said. “You just have to talk to him. At the end of the day, when you talk to him, he feels safe. He’s playing amazing. He just has to keep doing what he’s doing, helping us win every game.”

1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, The Lakers’ addition of Deandre Ayton was not without some concerns. But up to this point, Ayton has been nothing short of spectacular for the Lakers, thriving in his role as the team’s starting center and defensive anchor.

Ayton returned against the Mavericks after missing one game with a knee problem. In 36 minutes of play, he finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks. He missed just one shot, going 8-of-9 from the field. And that he wasn’t just spoon-fed off the passes of the elite playmakers of the Lakers.

DEANDRE AYTON TONIGHT:
17 PTS
8 REB
2AST
2 BLKS
1 STL pic.twitter.com/p4fTIZPBi7

— Lakers Performances (@LALPerformance) November 29, 2025

Earlier in the day after the Lakers shootaround, Ayton was confused by the question about his defensegiven that his defensive effort has often been criticized by his detractors over the years.

Ayton began his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, helping them reach the NBA Finals in the 2020-21 season. He played five seasons for the Suns before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. After two seasons with the Blazers, Ayton agreed to a buyout, clearing the way for him to join the Lakers.

It was painfully obvious that the Lakers needed an upgrade in the frontcourt after last season’s disappointing playoff collapse. So far Ayton has been just that. So far, he has appeared in 16 games with just over 29 minutes per game. He averaged 15.6 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 70.7 percent from the field.